OUR INSTRUCTORS

Be Imagine Music Studio is proud to offer music lessons from several teachers that have an average of twenty years of experience, some teachers have over forty years of experience!

Benjamin Goldbaum

Guitar, Youth Rock Bands.

Benjamin Goldbaum is the Coordinator / Owner of Be Imagine Music Studio. Ben has been teaching guitar for 13 years and teaching full-time for 9 years, by now Ben has given over 20,000 guitar lessons. After receiving a BA in English at UMASS, Amherst, Ben was a substitute teacher in Haverhill for 5 years and worked at 20 schools. Ben had been playing guitar since he was 12 and knew his true passion was music so he continued studying guitar with many instructors including George Fortunato, John Tavano, and Gerry Johnston. Ben created a youth rock band program that has grown to as many as 6 bands. Ben single-handly runs the program and he directs rehearsals, arranges the music, writes sheet music charts, books and promotes performances, and has created a small community where youth musicians can thrive. Ben has performed on the guitar in various styles such as Blues, Reggae, Country, Funk, Latin, Hip Hop, and Metal. Ben is currently the lead guitarist in a local Reggae Hip Hop band called Merrimack Delta Dub Set or MDDS. MDDS have performed all over New England and you can catch them at least once a month at The Chit Chat in Haverhill, MA.

Flute.

Barbara has been playing the flute for over 19 years and recently became a member of the Timberlane Community Band in Plaistow, NH. She started teaching general music in January 2007 and she is currently a full-time music teacher at Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School in Haverhill, MA, where she teaches grades K through 5. Barbara graduated from The Boston Conservatory in 2012 with her Masters of Music Education. Previously, she was part of the Woodwind and Brass Improvisational Ensemble starting in May 2007 at New England Conservatory, where she taught flute lessons and co-instructed a flute trio. Before that, she taught flute lessons in Norwood, MA from November 2006 until May 2007. Barbara graduated cum laude in 2006 with a BA in Music and a minor in Physics from Colby College in Waterville, ME. In college, she participated in orchestra, jazz band, wind ensemble (for which she won an award during her senior year), and flute choir, while she also worked as band manager. Barbara was a member of All State Band while in high school, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 2002.

Guitar.

George has toured full time throughout the eastern half of the US and Canada in his twenty’s – enjoying a recording contract with RCA and opening concerts for bands such as J Geils and the Critters. Academically, he was blessed to have first studied with his father who played with Tony Bennet, Sammy Davis Jr and many more. George then continued to study formally with his father’s peers. He also currently teaches at Bradford Christian Academy.

George has been teaching guitar for more than 30 yrs in the Merrimack Valley. His instructions are provided for the beginner, intermediate and advanced students with emphases on music theory, improvisation, reading transcription and tab while encouraging ear training for performances in a “live setting”. The following styles are provided – Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk and Jazz. To present the guitar in its most comprehensive expression to his advanced students, chord melodies are taught in context to evoke emotion in the guitarist and the listener. Over the years, he has the privilege of instructing several fellow guitar teachers in the Merrimack Valley area. Many of his students have received audition preparation for entrance into area colleges including Berklee.

George is passionate about his teaching as he states the following…

“It is my mission to share this love affair with all who desire to embark on the adventure of learning to play this magnificent instrument. I hope to inspire and instill confidence-facilitating students to have fun and be able to express themselves with excellence.”

Bass & Cello.

Roger Kimball has played bass and cello as part of the Boston music scene and beyond for more than 40 years, in addition to providing private lessons in funk, rock and jazz electric bass, jazz and classical double bass, and classical cello. A versatile performer, he has concertized throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East with numerous ensembles and orchestras, ranging from Classical symphony to pop legend Carly Simon, including Brad Delp of the legendary rock group “Boston”. Along with freelancing, he regularly performs with the educational enrichment program Adventures With Jazz, the Classical chamber ensemble The Woodvale String Quartet, and the acoustic pop duo Ditto, which performs the classic music of 60’s and 70’s artists.

Roger studied both jazz and Classical music at the University of Miami in Florida, and Classical music at Boston University. At the University of Miami he studied bass with Lucas Drew and cello with Ingus Naruns of the Miami Philharmonic. At Boston University he majored in music composition while studying cello with Mischa Nieland of the Boston Symphony. Roger formerly taught bass and cello lessons at Haverhill Music Center until it closed its doors, and currently teaches bass (electric and acoustic) and cello at Be Imagine music studios in Haverhill.

Roger has worked as both a bassist and cellist in recording studios in Miami, Nashville, New York, Providence, and Boston. He has had the honor of appearing at The Bluenote, The Bitter End and CB’s Gallery in New York City, The Shenandoah Jazz Festival in Virginia, and in Boston at Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, Scullers, and The Regattabar, among many other venues. He is a professional music arranger and copyist.

Voice.

Soprano, actor, and producer Aliana De La Guardia is “an anomalous player on the Boston music scene” (Stuff Magazine). Boston critics have mentioned her performances as “…stellar. Her natural sound is lovely, as clear and powerful as grain alcohol. In addition, her control of “in the margin” techniques is super…” (The Arts Fuse) and “Brilliant” (The Boston Musical Intelligencer).

The Cuban-American performer began training in theater and film at a young age in her native New Jersey and completed studies in voice and opera at The Boston Conservatory. An avid performer of New Music, de la Guardia has performed the works of many of the leading composers of our time such as Birtwistle, Gorecki, Harvey, Kurtág, Sciarrino, and among others. She is committed to developing new vocal repertoire frequently collaborating with living composers to commission new works. She is the founder of Dirty Paloma and a founding artist and General Manager of Guerilla Opera, with which she has co-produced 9 world premiere operas and 8 roles written specifically for her since 2007.

De la Guardia has performed with several Boston-area new music groups including Ludovico Ensemble, Firebird Ensemble, I/O Ensemble, Xanthos Ensemble, Harvard Group for New Music, and The Boston Conservatory New Music Festival. Her experience extends to standard classical repertoire as well including performances with Boston Lyric Opera, Granite State Opera, Metro West Opera, Operesque Classical Concerts (NYC), New England Philharmonic, Canton Choral Society, Wellesley Choral Society, and Cappella Clausura. In 2010 she made the cross-over leap landing a guest staring role on ABC’s hit TV show “Body of Proof”. Highlights of the 2012-13 season include performances of “The complete chamber music with cimbalom by György Kurtág” with the Ludovico Ensemble at The Stone in NYC and the world premiere of “Giver of Light” a new chamber opera by Adam Roberts with Guerilla Opera.

Drums.

In over 40 years of teaching drums, mostly at the Haverhill Music Centre, Earle Welch specializes in Jazz, Rock, Latin (including Bongos and Conga drumming), Drum Corps, Marching Bands, Small Groups, and Drumline, all of which include on-going applications of rudimental drumming and reading drum charts.

Earle’s playing experience includes Dance Bands, Small Groups and Marching Bands. During his service in the U.S. Navy, he spent three months playing in a Navy Drum and Bugle Corps. Earle was the long-time drummer with the Ed Nichols Trios and Quartets, which included twelve years as the House Band at Harry M’s.

Early in his drumming career, he had several teachers with varying backgrounds. Earle has always pursued excellence in playing and teaching drums.

Saxaphone.

Piano.

Danville pianist Virginia Lingar is originally from New Mexico. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance and Music History from The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ms. Lingar taught Private Piano, Group Piano, and Music Theory at The University of New Mexico while working on her master’s degree, and, until relocating to New Hampshire in 1990, continued to perform in the Albuquerque area, maintain a private piano studio, and serve as music director of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, and the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church.

Since coming to New Hampshire, Ms. Lingar has taught private lessons at her home studio and at Haverhill Music Center. She is presently teaching at Be Imagine Music Studio in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Ms. Lingar has also directed several area church music programs, including those of St. Anne’s in Hampstead, and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter. She currently accompanies special events at the Danville Baptist Church and remains active as a solo and ensemble performer.

Ms. Lingar resides in Danville with her husband, Christopher, a Senior Principal Engineer at Raytheon, and home schools two of her four daughters: Tabitha (15), and Sophia (11). Her third daughter, Laura (16) is currently a junior at Timberlane Regional High School. A fourth daughter, Morgan (22), a Presidential Scholar, is a senior at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Their lives are also enriched by the presence of three dogs, ten cats, an African Pygmy Hedgehog, and a Robo Dwarf Hamster.

The goals of Virginia Lingar’s teaching are to provide a solid musical education while fostering the personal growth of each student. Lessons are tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. This includes a balance of achievement, motivation, and fun, with a rigorous curriculum of theory, technique, and repertoire. The materials and approach used vary with each individual’s goals and needs. Ms. Lingar is committed to the success and growth of each student, and can call upon over thirty years of experience in teaching children and adults of all ages, levels and abilities.

Trumpet & Trombone.

Neil Flewelling has been teaching for over 40 years in local school systems as well as over 30 years at Haverhill Music Centre. Mr. Flewelling has also been playing professionally for over 50 years with numerous and varied musical ensembles from classical to jazz and rock. Mr. Flewelling have travelled with groups working in Europe, Africa ,Canada, Latin America as well as all over the USA. Mr. Flewelling teaches all brass instruments including trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone/euphonium and tuba.

Guitar.

Dave Allan taught at Haverhill Music Center for 15 plus years. Been performing professionally for 20 plus yrs. and Berklee educated privately. Versed in a wide variety of musical genre. Currently in an acoustic Duo called “Ready Or Not”, and currently in the late stages of building a new rock band.

Former bands: Face Value, Cause for Alarm, Next Exit, Higher Ground, and Reunion.

Liz Bills

Liz Bills was born and raised in Haverhill, MA. At an early age she started studying music at Haverhill Music Center with classically trained pianist Lynn Willby. In 2011 she moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music. While at Berklee, Bills studied songwriting with Mark Simos and voice with David Devo and Kathleen Flynn. 2011 was also the year that Liz Bills formed her band Analog Heart. Analog Heart performs all over New England and in 2012 released their self titled debut EP with well known producer and musician Scott Riebling. In 2013 Liz Bills competed in the American Idol competition and made it all the way to the final 30 females. Currently Liz Bills is busy working on Analog Heart's sophomore album, performing in New England and teaching private music lessons.